Ms Van Amersfoorth, the judge said had gone into hospital for a routine diagnostic procedure in June 2002 to establish why she was unable to get pregnant.

Unfortunately, Mr Justice Cross said while she was under anaesthetic a surgical instrument called a trocar was inserted in to her abdomen to allow telescopic examination but there was significant bleeding from a major blood vessel caused by the instrument.

The consultant obstetrician Dr John Corristine the judge said had torn a main artery in the woman’s pelvis and also punctured a vein and the assistance of a vascular surgeon was required.

Gina Van Amersfoorth (50), Grenville, Portlaoise, Co Laois had sued consultant obstetrician Dr John Corristine attached to Portlaoise General Hospital, now the Midland Regional Hospital and what was the Midland Health Board at the time as a result of the procedure carried out at the hospital on June 4, 2002.

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COURT APPEARANCE

It was claimed there was a failure to take any or any adequate or proper precautions for the safety of Ms Van Amersfoorth and a failure to adequately or at all check that all equipment used during the lapasoscopy was in good and proper working order.

Ms Van Amersfoorth suffered a major haemorrhage with a loss of at least eight pints of blood and required ventilation and life support for two days afterwards and was in hospital for six days in total.

The defendants admitted responsibility for the operation, the scar and the initial pain and suffering but disputed that other claimed consequences such as abdominal pain were related to the incident.